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Maarten van Luyn joins Omni Bridgeway and IMF Bentham in Europe as Director of Collective Redress

AMSTERDAM, 23 January 2020: Omni Bridgeway and IMF Bentham Limited (ASX:IMF) are delighted to announce the addition of veteran commercial lawyer, Mr Maarten van Luyn, to the company’s expanding Europe team. Maarten joins as Director of Collective Redress, based in Amsterdam, where he will source, assess and manage high value strategic litigation finance solutions throughout Europe, with a focus on group claims and LegalTech solutions for group claims.


Maarten’s appointment follows the recent news in 2019 of IMF Bentham and Omni Bridgeway’s merger, which created the largest dispute financing team in the world.

Maarten was formerly a Partner in the Amsterdam office of leading international law firm, Baker & McKenzie, where he managed an international practice in corporate law & litigation, finance, banking & securities. He was also previously a Partner at boutique litigation firm BarentsKrans, based in The Hague. In private practice, Maarten specialised in strategic litigation involving regulated industries. He acted in commercial transactions and litigation spanning structured/corporate finance, capital markets, and financial services. His clients included local and international banks, custodians, fund managers, investment funds, insurance companies, stock exchanges, and large corporates. Maarten was also the former Director/General Counsel of Aegon Netherlands, an international financial services conglomerate.

Maarten van Luyn said: “Having been a Partner in private practice as well as an in-house General Counsel of an international financial institution, it is an exciting progression for me to now join Omni Bridgeway and IMF Bentham, especially at this time. The combination of Omni Bridgeway and IMF Bentham creates one of the world’s truly global financiers, leading the market for third-party dispute finance. This market is rapidly coming of age.

Raymond van Hulst, Managing Director of Omni Bridgeway, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Maarten to our team. With more than 25 years of both international and local experience, Maarten brings with him a wealth of expertise, skills and a deep professional network. He also joins us at an exciting time of growth, alongside the merger of IMF Bentham with Omni Bridgeway, allowing us to provide a truly unparalleled depth of service and expertise to our global client-base.

ABOUT IMF BENTHAM AND OMNI BRIDGEWAY

Following the merger of the IMF Bentham and Omni Bridgeway operations in November 2019, the combined group is a global leader in dispute resolution finance, with expertise in civil and common law legal and recovery systems, and operations spanning Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, the UK and the US. IMF Bentham and Omni Bridgeway offer end-to-end dispute finance from case inception through to post-judgment enforcement and recovery.

IMF Bentham has built its reputation as a trusted provider of innovative litigation financing solutions and has established an increasingly diverse portfolio of litigation and dispute financing assets. IMF Bentham has a highly experienced litigation financing team overseeing its investments, delivering, as at 30 June 2019, an 89% success rate across 192 completed cases (excluding withdrawals). Visit imf.com.au to learn more.

Omni Bridgeway was founded in the Netherlands in 1986 and is known as a leading financier of high-value claims and a global specialist in cross-border (sovereign) enforcement disputes. The Omni Bridgeway group includes ROLAND ProzessFinanz, a leading German litigation funder which became part of Omni Bridgeway in 2017, and a joint venture with IFC (part of the World Bank Group). The joint venture is aimed at assisting banks with the funding and managing the enforcement of non-performing loans and related disputes in the Middle East and Africa. Visit omnibridgeway.com to learn more.

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Burford Capital Announces 2025 Investor Day

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Burford Capital Limited ("Burford" or the "Company"), the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law, today announces it will host an Investor Day on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York City, which will also be webcast live and available for replay. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 9.00am EDT.

Led by Burford's executive management team and other key leaders, the event will provide a comprehensive strategic update on Burford's business and will also serve as an immersive introduction for investors and analysts who are new to the Company.

About Burford Capital

Burford Capital is the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law. Its businesses include litigation finance and risk management, asset recovery and a wide range of legal finance and advisory activities. Burford is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUR) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: BUR), and it works with companies and law firms around the world from its offices in New York, London, Chicago, Washington, DC, Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong.For more information, please visit www.burfordcapital.com.

Counsel Financial Unveils Revamped Website, Modern Branding and Expanded Product Offerings

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Counsel Financial, the nation's leading provider of financing solutions exclusively for plaintiff law firms, is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website and updated branding. The refreshed branding underscores the company's commitment to providing accessible capital solutions to the plaintiffs' bar while highlighting its expanded scope of services offered to capital providers who invest in law firms focused on contingent-fee litigation.

The updated website, CounselFinancial.com, features a streamlined design, enhanced functionality, and includes new sections detailing the company's tech-enabled, end-to-end solutions for banks and investment funds. Visitors can now explore the site with ease, accessing detailed information on Counsel Financial's array of financing solutions, resources and success stories from law firms nationwide.

"Counsel Financial has always been a pioneer in the legal funding space and this rebrand reflects our evolution while staying true to our mission of empowering plaintiff firms to achieve financial stability and success," said Paul Cody, CEO. "The new website represents our commitment to growth, accessibility and continuing to be the trusted partner for law firms and capital providers."

Unmatched Servicing Expertise

A standout feature of Counsel Financial's offerings is its comprehensive servicing capabilities, designed to meet the complex needs of capital providers investing in law firm financing. With expertise in collateral monitoring and case valuation, Counsel Financial provides unparalleled servicing for portfolios secured by contingent fee interests. The company's proprietary systems and dedicated team ensure accurate case tracking, timely reporting, and proactive management of legal fee receivables. Partnering with Counsel Financial allows capital providers to tap into the company's 25 years of legal funding expertise, enabling them to maximize portfolio performance and mitigate risk effectively.

A Legacy of Innovation

Founded by attorneys for attorneys, Counsel Financial has provided over $1.5 billion in loans to plaintiff law firms since its inception. The company's industry expertise, combined with its commitment to client success, has positioned it as a trusted partner for firms looking to grow their practices and manage financial hurdles effectively.

Visit CounselFinancial.com to explore the new website, learn more about the expanded product offerings, and discover how Counsel Financial can help your firm achieve its goals.

About Counsel Financial

Counsel Financial is the premier litigation financing company in the U.S., founded by attorneys in 2000. We operate with the belief that opportunities should never be limited by resources. Counsel Financial is dedicated to helping law firms and capital providers succeed and grow together in the evolving world of contingency-fee litigation.

Arena Investors, LP and Fort Morgan Capital Partner to Launch $50 Million Litigation Finance Venture

By Harry Moran |

Arena Investors, LP ("Arena") and Fort Morgan Capital, a subsidiary of SimpleCITI Companies ("SimpleCITI"), are proud to announce the launch of a $50 million joint venture ("JV") focused on providing law firm finance solutions for US law firms. Targeting growth financing between $1 million to $15 million, the JV will offer capital secured by the value of a law firm's aggregate legal assets (cases).  Patrick Shannon will lead JV operations with a focus on diligence, underwriting, servicing, and originations.

About the Joint Venture

The JV has already started deploying capital, with the goal of delivering $50 million in tailored financing solutions.  Capital will be utilized to navigate growth by scaling operational infrastructure and investments in marketing.  This comprehensive approach ensures that law firms can focus on achieving successful outcomes without the financial strain of upfront costs.

Arena has a long history in legal asset investments, including its principals having helped build some of the earlier litigation finance platforms dating back to the late 1990s.  SimpleCITI builds on a proven track record of leadership and innovation across diverse industries, establishing itself as a trusted partner in solving complex financial challenges. Together, Arena and SimpleCITI leverage their unparalleled expertise to redefine client-focused solutions in litigation finance."

Strategic Collaboration

Arena Managing Director, Victor Dupont, noted that "Arena is very excited to expand and build upon our nearly decade-long relationship and successful track record with Patrick in this new joint venture.  Fort Morgan Capital will serve a critical role in working with select legal practices and market participants in navigating liquidity challenges amid this fluctuating market, while also promoting sustainable operational and marketing growth."

"This JV represents a strategic milestone for Fort Morgan Capital," said a SimpleCITI spokesperson. "By partnering with Arena, we're unlocking new opportunities for law firms to grow sustainably while maintaining financial stability.  This venture underscores our commitment to innovation and value creation in the litigation finance space."

Pat Shannon added, "Our focus on episodic opportunities within litigation finance aligns perfectly with this venture. Together, we are delivering a scalable platform that empowers law firms to thrive in a competitive landscape."

About Arena Investors, LP:

Arena Investors, a subsidiary of Arena Investor Group holdings, is an institutional asset manager founded in partnership with The Westaim Corporation (TSXV: WED). With approximately $3.5 billion of invested and committed assets under management as of December 31, 2024, and a team of over 180 employees in offices globally, Arena provides creative solutions for those seeking capital across all corporate, real estate, and structured finance investment areas, at all levels of the capital structure, and in all developed markets, alongside operational capabilities to manage and improve businesses.  The firm brings individuals with decades of experience, a track record of comfort with complexity, the ability to deliver within time constraints, and the flexibility to engage in transactions and business operations that cannot be addressed by banks and other conventional financial institutions. See www.arenaco.com for more information.

About SimpleCITI Companies:

SimpleCITI Companies is an operational-first platform specializing in real estate (SimpleEQUITIES), litigation finance (Fort Morgan), and fiduciary advisory services (SimpleADVISORY). The firm provides institutional-grade solutions across sophisticated markets. Fort Morgan, the litigation finance division, offers innovative funding solutions for law firms, blending conservative valuation with operational expertise. SimpleADVISORY ensures disciplined underwriting and compliance to support Fort Morgan's strategic initiatives.

About Pat Shannon:

Pat Shannon brings extensive industry expertise, previously serving as Chief Operating Officer at Mustang Litigation Funding, a platform renowned for its proficiency across diverse litigation finance disciplines. With a focus on episodic and idiosyncratic opportunities in niche sub-sectors, Pat leads the JV's diligence, underwriting, and origination efforts.